Methods and systems for simulating circuit operation

ABSTRACT

A processor for use in simulating operation of a portion of an electrical circuit is provided. The processor is configured to receive at least one input indicative of electrical circuit data related to the electrical circuit being simulated, generate a model of the electrical circuit based on the at least one input, receive a user input that indicates the portion of the electrical circuit to be simulated, generate, based on the user input and the electrical circuit model, a partial circuit snapshot that corresponds to the portion of the electrical circuit, and apply at least one event to the partial circuit snapshot to simulate operation of the corresponding portion of the electrical circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to electricalcircuits, and more specifically, to methods and systems for use insimulating operation of electrical circuits.

Electrical circuits are used in numerous applications, including powerdistribution systems and electronic devices. In complex systems and/ordevices, the number of components included in electrical circuits andthe complexity of connections between those components may be sonumerous and/or so complicated that it may be difficult if notimpossible to analyze and/or diagnose such circuits by human operators.Accordingly, in some applications, circuit simulators may be used tosimulate the operation of such electrical circuits.

Although some known circuit simulators allow the simulation of theoperation of electrical circuits, within some electrical circuits, itmay still be difficult to isolate and/or stimulate discrete portions ofthe circuit using known circuit simulators. For example, at least someknown circuit simulators do not enable users to isolate and performsimulations and/or studies on smaller portions of complex electriccircuits. As such, for such circuits, users may be unable to understandhow the complex electric circuit operates and/or how local changes inportions of the electric circuit effect operation of the overallelectric circuit. Furthermore, at least some known circuit simulatorsonly accept inputs in limited data formats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a processor for use in simulating operation of a portionof an electrical circuit is provided. The processor is configured toreceive at least one input indicative of electrical circuit data relatedto the electrical circuit being simulated, generate a model of theelectrical circuit based on the at least one input, receive a user inputthat indicates the portion of the electrical circuit to be simulated,generate, based on the user input and the electrical circuit model, apartial circuit snapshot that corresponds to the portion of theelectrical circuit, and apply at least one event to the partial circuitsnapshot to simulate operation of the corresponding portion of theelectrical circuit.

In another aspect, a circuit simulator for simulating operation of aportion of an electrical circuit is provided. The circuit simulatorincludes a memory device, a user input interface, and a processorcoupled to the memory device and the user input interface. The processoris configured to receive at least one input indicative of electricalcircuit data related to the electrical circuit being simulated, generatea model of the electrical circuit based on the at least one input, storethe electrical circuit model on the memory device, receive, from theuser input interface, a user input that indicates the portion of theelectrical circuit to be simulated, generate, based on the user inputand the electrical circuit model, a partial circuit snapshot thatcorresponds to the portion of the electrical circuit, and apply at leastone event to the partial circuit snapshot to simulate operation of thecorresponding portion of the electrical circuit.

In yet another aspect, a method for simulating operation of at least aportion of an electrical circuit is provided. The method includesreceiving, at a processing device, at least one input indicative ofelectrical circuit data related to the electrical circuit beingsimulated, generating a model of the electrical circuit based on the atleast one input, receiving, at the processing device, a user input thatindicates the portion of the electrical circuit to be simulated,generating, based on the user input and the generated electrical circuitmodel, a partial circuit snapshot that corresponds to the portion of theelectrical circuit, and applying at least one event to the partialcircuit snapshot to simulate operation of the corresponding portion ofthe electrical circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit simulator.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow diagram for use in creating a model of anelectrical circuit using the circuit simulator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary model circuit that may begenerated using the circuit simulator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an exemplary presentation interface that maybe generated using the circuit simulator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram for use in simulating operation of aportion of an electrical circuit using the circuit simulator shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The methods and systems described herein enable simulation of theoperation of a portion of an electrical circuit. A circuit simulatordescribed herein generates a model of an electrical circuit from circuitcomponent data, circuit mapping data, and event data. Based on thegenerated circuit model and user inputs, the circuit simulator generatesa partial circuit snapshot of the circuit model that corresponds to theportion of the electrical circuit. The circuit simulator applies one ormore events from the event data to the partial circuit snapshot tosimulate operation of the corresponding portion of the electricalcircuit. The circuit simulator also generates and displays a graphicalcircuit representation of the partial circuit snapshot.

Technical effects of the methods and systems described herein include atleast one of: (a) receiving, at a processing device, at least one inputindicative of electrical circuit data related to the electrical circuitbeing simulated; (b) generating a model of the electrical circuit basedon the at least one input; (c) receiving, at the processing device, auser input that indicates the portion of the electrical circuit to besimulated; (d) generating, based on the user input and the generatedelectrical circuit model, a partial circuit snapshot that corresponds tothe portion of the electrical circuit; and (e) applying at least oneevent to the partial circuit snapshot to simulate operation of thecorresponding portion of the electrical circuit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary circuit simulator 100 for usein simulating an electrical circuit, as described in detail herein.Circuit simulator 100 includes a memory device 110 and a processor 115that is coupled to memory device 110 for executing instructions. In someembodiments, executable instructions are stored in memory device 110.Circuit simulator 100 performs one or more operations described hereinby programming processor 115. For example, processor 115 may beprogrammed by encoding an operation as one or more executableinstructions and by providing the executable instructions in memorydevice 110. Processor 115 may include one or more processing units(e.g., in a multi-core configuration).

In the exemplary embodiment, memory device 110 is one or more devicesthat enable information such as executable instructions and/or otherdata to be stored and retrieved. Memory device 110 may include one ormore computer readable media, such as, without limitation, dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), a solidstate disk, and/or a hard disk. Memory device 110 may be configured tostore, without limitation, application source code, application objectcode, source code portions of interest, object code portions ofinterest, configuration data, execution events and/or any other type ofdata.

In some embodiments, circuit simulator 100 includes a presentationinterface 120 that is coupled to processor 115. Presentation interface120 presents information, such as application source code and/orexecution events, to a user 125. For example, presentation interface 120may include a display adapter (not shown) that may be coupled to adisplay device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic LED (OLED) display, and/or an “electronic ink”display. In some embodiments, presentation interface 120 includes one ormore display devices.

In some embodiments, circuit simulator 100 includes an input interface130, such as a user input interface 135 and/or a communication interface140. In the exemplary embodiment, user input interface 135 is coupled toprocessor 115 and receives input from user 125. User input interface 135may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a mouse, astylus, a touch sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touch screen), agyroscope, an accelerometer, a position detector, and/or an audio userinput interface. A single component, such as a touch screen, mayfunction as both a display device of presentation interface 120 and userinput interface 135. User input interface 135 may include, among otherpossibilities, a web browser and/or a client application. Web browsersand client applications enable users, such as user 125, to display andinteract with media and other information from a remote device.

In the exemplary embodiment, communication interface 140 is coupled toprocessor 115. Moreover, communication interface 140 is configured tocouple in communication with one or more remote devices. For example,communication interface 140 may include, without limitation, a wirednetwork adapter, a wireless network adapter, and/or a mobiletelecommunications adapter. Communication interface 140 may alsotransmit data to one or more remote devices.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flow diagram 200 that may be used to create amodel of an electrical circuit using circuit simulator 100 (shown inFIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment, processor 115 receives inputs 202to generate a model circuit 203, as described in detail herein. In theexemplary embodiment, inputs 202 are provided to the processor 115 by auser utilizing user input interface 135 (shown in FIG. 1). In someembodiments, received inputs 202 are stored on memory device 110 (shownin FIG. 1).

Inputs 202 contain electrical circuit data related to the electricalcircuit (not shown) that is to be modeled. In the exemplary embodiment,the electrical circuit to be modeled is an electrical power distributionsystem circuit. Alternatively, the electrical circuit to be modeled maybe any circuit that enables circuit simulator 100 (shown in FIG. 1) tofunction as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment, inputs 202include circuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and eventdata 208. Circuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206, andevent data 208 may be provided to circuit simulator 100 in a widevariety of custom data formats. For example, in one embodiment, circuitcomponent data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and/or event data 208 areprovided to circuit simulator 100 in a common information model (CIM)standard, such as CIM Version 2.14.

Circuit component data 204 includes the components to be included inmodel circuit 203 and their corresponding characteristics. For example,components may include resistors, thyristors, capacitors, inductors,transistors, batteries, alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC)voltage sources, switches, transformers, operational amplifiers,reclosers, feeders, breakers, and/or logic gates. Exemplarycharacteristics of the components may include a resistance, acapacitance, an inductance, a number of inputs, an operational voltagerating, and/or a power output. Alternatively, circuit component data 204may include any components and/or characteristics that enable circuitsimulator 100 to function as described herein.

Circuit mapping data 206 includes the connections between components inmodel circuit 203. In the exemplary embodiment, circuit mapping data 206specifies connections between the components in circuit component data204. For example, circuit mapping data 206 may specify that an input ofone circuit component is electrically coupled to an output of anothercircuit component. By altering circuit mapping data 206, users can varythe design and/or configuration of the electrical circuit to be modeled.

Event data 208 includes one or more conditions and/or events to beapplied to circuit model 203 for studies and/or simulations. Morespecifically, event data 208 includes circuit input variables that areused when simulating operation of the electrical circuit. For example,event data 208 may include a voltage and/or current to apply to modelcircuit 203 to simulate operation of the corresponding electricalcircuit. Further, event data 208 may include a fault analysis and/orpower distribution analysis of model circuit 203. Alternatively, eventdata 208 may include any operational conditions and/or events to besimulated that enable circuit simulator 100 to function as describedherein. In some embodiments, event data 208 includes historical circuitdata. More specifically, event data 208 includes circuit input variablesmeasured from actual electrical circuits. The historical circuit datamay be stored, for example, on memory device 110 (shown in FIG. 1). Asdescribed herein, after the conditions and/or events are applied (i.e.,simulated) to model circuit 203, circuit simulator 100 calculatesvarious properties of model circuit 203. For example, circuit simulator100 may calculate a load distribution and/or power flow in model circuit203. Alternatively, circuit simulator 100 may calculate any propertiesof model circuit 203 that enable circuit simulator 100 to function asdescribed herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, user 125 (shown in FIG. 1) enters circuitcomponent data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and/or event data 208using user input interface 135 and/or communication interface 140 (bothshown in FIG. 1). In some embodiments, user 125 inputs circuit componentdata 204, circuit mapping data 206, and/or event data 208 using aweb-based application. That is, the user can enter circuit componentdata 204, circuit mapping data 206, and event data 208 by accessingcircuit simulator 100 through a web-browser via, for example,communication interface 140. Alternatively, circuit component data 204,circuit mapping data 206, and/or event data 208 may be input using anysuitable method. For example, in some embodiments, processor 115 readsin values for circuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206,and/or event data 208 from a data spreadsheet, converts the values intomemory objects, and stores the memory objects in memory device 110.

Processor 115 receives inputs 202, including circuit component data 204,circuit mapping data 206, and event data 208. In the exemplaryembodiment, processor 115 includes a data transformer 210 configured toconvert an input format of circuit component data 204, circuit mappingdata 206, and/or event data 208. Accordingly, depending on the inputformat of circuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and/orevent data 208, data transformer 210 converts the input format ofcircuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and event data 208to a universal format. For example, in one embodiment, circuit componentdata 204, circuit mapping data 206, and/or event data 208 are convertedto a common information model (CIM) standard. Alternatively, datatransformer 210 converts circuit component data 204, circuit mappingdata 206, and/or event data 208 into any format that enables circuitsimulator 100 to function as described herein.

From circuit component data 204, circuit mapping data 206, and eventdata 208, processor 115 generates model circuit 203. That is, modelcircuit 203 includes the components defined in circuit component data204 connected as defined in circuit mapping data 206. Further, the oneor more events defined in event data 208 are attached to model circuit203, such that the one or more events in event data 208 can be simulatedin model circuit 203 and/or a portion of model circuit 203, as describedin detail below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary model circuit 300 that maybe generated from circuit component data 204 and circuit mapping data206, such as model circuit 203 (shown in FIG. 2). Model circuit 300includes a first switch 322, a second switch 324, a third switch 326,and a fourth switch 328. Model circuit 300 also includes a first node330 and second node 332. In the exemplary embodiment, switches 322, 324,326, and 328, and nodes 330 and 332 are defined in circuit componentdata 204. Further, electrical connections between switches 322, 324,326, and 328, and nodes 330 and 332 are defined in circuit mapping data206. For example, circuit mapping data 206 specifies that first node 330is electrically coupled to first switch 322 at a first terminal 340 andelectrically coupled to second switch 324 at a second terminal 342.Additionally, in the exemplary embodiment, circuit mapping data 206specifies that second node 332 is electrically coupled to second switch324 at a third terminal 344, electrically coupled to third switch 326 ata fourth terminal 346, and electrically coupled to fourth switch 328 ata fifth terminal 348.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary screenshot 400 of an exemplary interface, such aspresentation interface 120 (shown in FIG. 1). Screenshot 400 displaysmodel circuit 203 as a plurality of circuit component blocks 402 andlinks 404 indicating connections between circuit component blocks 402.Each circuit component block 402 of model circuit 203 may include asingle component (e.g., switches 322, 324, 326, and 328), or may be acircuit that forms a portion of model circuit 203. For example, circuitcomponent block 402 could include all of model circuit 300 (shown inFIG. 3) as part of a larger model circuit.

Further, using user input interface 135 (shown in FIG. 1), a user canselect the entire model circuit 203 for simulation, or select asubsection, or partial circuit snapshot, of model circuit 203 forsimulation. As used here, a partial circuit snapshot refers to a portionof model circuit 203 that corresponds to a portion of the electricalcircuit represented by model circuit 203. For example, in oneembodiment, a user can select a partial circuit snapshot of modelcircuit 203 by selecting one of circuit component blocks 402. A user mayalso select a partial circuit snapshot that includes a plurality ofcircuit component blocks 402 by creating and dragging a selection boxover the desired circuit component blocks 402 using, for example, amouse. Accordingly, using the methods and systems described herein, theoperation of smaller circuits contained within a larger, more complexelectrical circuit can be simulated.

After model circuit 203 has been generated by circuit simulator 100,studies and/or simulations can be carried out on model circuit 203. Thatis, the one or more events in event data 208 are applied to modelcircuit 203 to simulate operation of model circuit 203 as specified inevent data 208. In some embodiments, event data 208 includes a faultanalysis of model circuit 203 that determines the location of faults inmodel circuit 203. In other embodiments, event data 208 includes a powerdistribution analysis of model circuit 203 that determines a powerutilization and/or power distribution between components of modelcircuit 203. Alternatively, event data 208 may include any simulationand/or study that enables circuit simulator 100 to function as describedherein.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram 500 for use in simulating operationof portion of an electrical circuit using circuit simulator 100 (shownin FIG. 1). As described above, circuit simulator 100 generates a modelcircuit 502. User 125 (shown in FIG. 1) provides one or more user inputs504 at user input interface 135 (shown in FIG. 1). In the exemplaryembodiment, user input 504 specifies which part of a model circuit 502is to be simulated. That is, user input 504 specifies which componentsof model circuit 502 should be included in a partial circuit snapshot506.

Processor 115 receives the user input 504 from user input interface 135and retrieves model circuit 502. In the exemplary embodiment, modelcircuit 502 is stored on memory device 110 (shown in FIG. 1) and isretrieved from memory device 110 by processor 115. From model circuit502 and user input 504, processor 115 generates partial circuit snapshot506. In the exemplary embodiment, partial circuit snapshot 506 is storedon memory device 110.

Once processor 115 generates partial circuit snapshot 506, processor 115applies one or more events 508 from event data 208 (shown in FIG. 1) topartial circuit snapshot 506. As explained above, events 508 may includea fault analysis, a power distribution analysis, and/or any simulationthat may be performed on partial circuit snapshot 506.

In the exemplary embodiment, after one or more events 508 are applied topartial circuit snapshot 506, processor 115 displays the partial circuitsnapshot 506 on presentation interface 120 (shown in FIG. 1) as agraphical circuit representation 510. Graphical circuit representation510 includes components in partial circuit snapshot 506 and connectionsbetween those components. In some embodiments, graphical circuitrepresentation 510 includes a plurality of circuit component blocks 402and links 404, similar to those shown in FIG. 4. In other embodiments,graphical circuit representation 510 includes a schematic circuitdiagram of partial circuit snapshot 506, similar to that shown in FIG.3.

In the exemplary embodiment, graphical circuit representation 510includes an updated state of each component in partial circuit snapshot506 after application of one or more events 508. In one embodiment,after performing a fault analysis, graphical circuit representation 510includes markers that identify the location of faults within partialcircuit snapshot 506. Further, in another embodiment, after performing apower distribution analysis, graphical circuit representation 510includes information indicating how power is distributed across partialcircuit snapshot 506, such as a load distribution and/or a power flowfor components in partial circuit snapshot 506. Alternatively, graphicalcircuit representation 510 may indicate any state and/or characteristicof partial circuit snapshot 506 and/or components of partial circuitsnapshot. For example, graphical circuit representation 510 mayhighlight and/or mark any components of partial circuit snapshot 506that failed, malfunctioned, and/or were damaged during application ofone or more events 508.

As compared to known circuit simulators, the methods and systemsdescribed herein enable a user to select and isolate a portion of alarger, more complex circuit, and perform various simulations and/orstudies on the selected portion as compared to circuit simulators thatdo not permit a user to isolate discrete sections of a circuit.Isolating and analyzing portions of a larger circuit facilitatesenabling users to understand the effects of local changes on the overallelectrical circuit, and facilitates optimizing design of the overallelectrical circuit with a better certainty as compared to circuitsimulators in which only the overall circuit can be analyzed. Further,as compared to known circuit simulators, using the methods and systemsdescribed herein, users can input information in a variety of customdata formats. Finally, by simulating electrical circuits using themethods and systems described herein, as compared to known circuitsimulators, users can better identify faults in electrical circuits,understand the operation of new components in electrical circuits,improve response times to changes in electrical circuits, and improverestoration of electrical circuits in the event of faults.

The embodiments described herein enable simulation of the operation of aportion of an electrical circuit. A circuit simulator described hereingenerates a model of an electrical circuit from circuit component data,circuit mapping data, and event data. Based on the generated circuitmodel and user inputs, the circuit simulator generates a partial circuitsnapshot of the circuit model that corresponds to the portion of theelectrical circuit. The circuit simulator applies one or more eventsfrom the event data to the partial circuit snapshot to simulateoperation of the corresponding portion of the electrical circuit. Thecircuit simulator also generates and displays a graphical circuitrepresentation of the partial circuit snapshot.

Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for simulating operation ofa portion of an electrical circuit are described herein. The methods andsystems described herein are not limited to the specific embodimentsdescribed herein, but rather, components of the systems and/or steps ofthe methods may be utilized independently and separately from othercomponents and/or steps described herein.

Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention maybe shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenienceonly. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature ofa drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with anyfeature of any other drawing.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

1. A processor for use in simulating operation of a portion of anelectrical circuit, said processor configured to: receive at least oneinput indicative of electrical circuit data related to the electricalcircuit being simulated; generate a model of the electrical circuitbased on the at least one input; receive a user input that indicates theportion of the electrical circuit to be simulated; generate, based onthe user input and the electrical circuit model, a partial circuitsnapshot that corresponds to the portion of the electrical circuit; andapply at least one event to the partial circuit snapshot to simulateoperation of the corresponding portion of the electrical circuit.
 2. Aprocessor in accordance with claim 1, wherein to apply at least oneevent to the partial circuit snapshot, said processor is furtherconfigured to perform a fault analysis on the partial circuit snapshot.3. A processor in accordance with claim 1, wherein to apply at least oneevent to the partial circuit snapshot, said processor is furtherconfigured to perform a power distribution analysis on the partialcircuit snapshot.
 4. A processor in accordance with claim 1, whereinsaid processor is further configured to display a graphical circuitrepresentation of the partial circuit snapshot on a presentationinterface.
 5. A processor in accordance with claim 4, wherein saidprocessor is further configured to display a graphical circuitrepresentation that includes at least one marker that identifies atleast one of a location of a fault within the partial circuit snapshotand a component of the partial circuit snapshot that failed duringapplication of the event.
 6. A processor in accordance with claim 1,wherein to receive at least one input indicative of electrical circuitdata, said processor is further configured to receive at least one ofcircuit component data that includes at least one component of theelectrical circuit and circuit mapping data that includes at least oneelectrical connection between components in the electrical circuit.
 7. Aprocessor in accordance with claim 1, wherein to receive at least oneinput indicative of electrical circuit data, said processor is furtherconfigured to receive event data that includes the at least one event tobe applied to the partial circuit snapshot.
 8. A circuit simulator forsimulating operation of a portion of an electrical circuit, said circuitsimulator comprising: a memory device; a user input interface; and aprocessor coupled to said memory device and said user input interface,said processor configured to: receive at least one input indicative ofelectrical circuit data related to the electrical circuit beingsimulated; generate a model of the electrical circuit based on the atleast one input; store the electrical circuit model on said memorydevice; receive, from said user input interface, a user input thatindicates the portion of the electrical circuit to be simulated;generate, based on the user input and the electrical circuit model, apartial circuit snapshot that corresponds to the portion of theelectrical circuit; and apply at least one event to the partial circuitsnapshot to simulate operation of the corresponding portion of theelectrical circuit.
 9. A circuit simulator in accordance with claim 8,wherein to apply at least one event to the partial circuit snapshot,said processor is further configured to perform a fault analysis on thepartial circuit snapshot.
 10. A circuit simulator in accordance withclaim 8, wherein to apply at least one event to the partial circuitsnapshot, said processor is further configured to perform a powerdistribution analysis on the partial circuit snapshot.
 11. A circuitsimulator in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a presentationinterface coupled to said processor, wherein said processor is furtherconfigured to display a graphical circuit representation of the partialcircuit snapshot on said presentation interface.
 12. A circuit simulatorin accordance with claim 8, wherein said processor comprises a datatransformer configured to convert a format of the at least one input toa universal format.
 13. A circuit simulator in accordance with claim 8,wherein to receive at least one input indicative of electrical circuitdata, said processor is configured to receive at least one of circuitcomponent data that includes at least one component of the electricalcircuit and circuit mapping data that includes at least one electricalconnection between components in the electrical circuit.
 14. A circuitsimulator in accordance with claim 8, wherein to receive at least oneinput indicative of electrical circuit data, said processor isconfigured to receive event data that includes the at least one event tobe applied to the partial circuit snapshot.
 15. A method for simulatingoperation of at least a portion of an electrical circuit, said methodcomprising: receiving, at a processing device, at least one inputindicative of electrical circuit data related to the electrical circuitbeing simulated; generating a model of the electrical circuit based onthe at least one input; receiving, at the processing device, a userinput that indicates the portion of the electrical circuit to besimulated; generating, based on the user input and the generatedelectrical circuit model, a partial circuit snapshot that corresponds tothe portion of the electrical circuit; and applying at least one eventto the partial circuit snapshot to simulate operation of thecorresponding portion of the electrical circuit.
 16. A method inaccordance with claim 15, wherein applying at least one event comprisesperforming a fault analysis on the partial circuit snapshot.
 17. Amethod in accordance with claim 15, wherein applying at least one eventcomprises performing a power distribution analysis on the partialcircuit snapshot.
 18. A method in accordance with claim 15, whereinreceiving at least one input comprises receiving at least one of circuitcomponent data that includes at least one component of the electricalcircuit being simulated and circuit mapping data that includes at leastone electrical connection between components in the electrical circuit.19. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein receiving at least oneinput comprises receiving at least one input indicative of electricalcircuit data related to an electrical power distribution system circuit.20. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein receiving at least oneinput comprises receiving event data that includes the at least oneevent to be applied to the partial circuit snapshot.